Archive for January, 2009
Monday, January 26th, 2009
TAMPA, FL – Tribridge and Navint Consulting , two U.S.-based providers of business software and IT services, have announced a merger of equals effective immediately.
Under the terms of the merger, the combined, privately-held company will be called Tribridge.
The merger of Tribridge, with a strong presence in the southeast and central regions, and Navint, with equally solid representation in the northeast and western regions, will create a complementary, diversified IT services firm with a national footprint.
“Both Tribridge and Navint just completed record years of revenue, profitability and customer growth, which made it the perfect opportunity to join forces and capture the leadership position in the IT services industry,” said Tony DiBenedetto, Tribridge chairman and CEO.
The combined entity offers multiple business lines, including: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) business applications; Microsoft SharePoint; custom application development; IT managed services; Microsoft core infrastructure solutions; and IT security products and services.
Online: www.tribridge.com
Posted in Acquisitions, Florida, IT | Comments Off
Monday, January 26th, 2009
MORRISVILLE, NC – Centice, a company developing a drug verification system for dispensed medications, has raised a $2 million bridge financing.
Dow Jones VentureWire reported the financing.
Centice raise an $11.3 million second round in November 2007. It closed a $3 million A round in 2004.
Investors include Aurora Funds, Novak Biddle Venture Partners, S-Group Direct Investments, and Innovation Ventures.
Centice began by winning the Duke Start-Up Challenge at Duke University and was then founded in 2004 to commercialize patented and patent-pending computational sensor technology originally developed at Duke.
Various reports suggest there may be as many as 50 million prescription filling errors a year, causing 7,000 or more deaths annually.
Tools Centice has developed, including a pill scanner called the Pass Rx System, can help prevent that problem, the company says.
Drug verification is accomplished by using patented proprietary sensors.
The system’s first sensor uses Raman spectroscopy and analyzes the chemical composition of the drug. A second sensor analyzes the size, color and shape of the tablet or capsule.
The results of these analyses are then combined to create a unique spectral fingerprint of the drug, which is then compared to a proprietary database of NDC fingerprints, all in a matter of seconds.
Online: www.centice.com
Previously on TechJournal South:
Centice Wants to stop pharmacy errors:
http://techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=4327
Posted in Money, North Carolina | Comments Off
Monday, January 26th, 2009
ATLANTA – Medspas of America Inc. (OTC:MEDP), has closed the acquisition of E-Strategic Solutions.
The company acquired ESS through a non-cash, non-share exchange purchase of certain assets with a corresponding assumption of certain debts. The Company was not required to secure outside investment to close this acquisition.
“During our due diligence,” says CEO Paul Smith, “it became evident that E-Strategic Solutions owned and operated a very unique Internet-based online ordering system for the restaurant industry that has the capabilities to be expanded into other industries that require intuitive, sophisticated consumer interaction while ordering online.”
E-Strategic Solutions is based in Atlanta.
Online: www.medspasofamerica.com; www.estrategicsolutions.com
Posted in Acquisitions, Georgia, Internet/New Media, IT | Comments Off
Monday, January 26th, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – A group of 44 investors managing over $1.7 trillion in assets called on Congressional leaders today to include significant funding for energy efficiency, clean energy and clean transportation in the economic stimulus bill being debated this week in Congress.
In a letter delivered this morning to House and Senate leaders and the Obama administration, U.S. and European investors called for longer-term green economic incentives, including extending the renewable energy Production Tax Credit five or more years; providing substantial funding for energy efficiency programs, such as retrofitting buildings; and modernizing the aging and inefficient electric power grid.
“Before you are a range of policy measures to stimulate research, development and deployment of cleaner, more efficient technologies at the scale necessary,” states the letter, citing the bill’s dual potential to create green jobs and curb global warming pollution.
“The economic recovery package should not pick technological winners, but rather should aim to bring forward a portfolio of technologies that both enable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and promote America’s energy security.”
The letter, coordinated by Ceres and the Investor Network on Climate Risk, was signed by some of the world’s largest institutional investors, asset managers, state treasurers and controllers, including Deutsche Asset Management, F&C Asset Management, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, New York State Comptroller’s Office, California State Teachers’ Retirement System, Florida State Treasury and New York City Comptroller’s Office.
“The economic stimulus package is a golden opportunity to stake out America’s leadership in driving energy efficiency and the emerging clean energy global economy,” added Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres and director of the Investor Network on Climate Risk.
“Strong green incentives that send clear market signals to the business community will lead to new jobs and new industries.”
In addition to funding activities such as building retrofits, the letter recommends that stimulus funds be steered to states that adopt energy efficiency resource standards and allow their utilities to give higher preference to energy efficiency over creating new supplies.
Online: www.incr.com; www.ceres.org
Posted in Economic Development, Energy, Government/Defense, Viewpoint, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
By Shannon Kavanaugh
We know the anxiety is rising for many of you as the economy falters. We know it is tempting to begin the slashing process of your expenses. And, we know that marketing is one of those areas that typical gets the brunt of those budget cuts. We understand…but you must resist!
Sure, you should always be doing everything you can to maximize your marketing resources. That’s true, even in a good economy. But history shows us that now is just not the time to curb your marketing efforts.
Here are some of the facts from past recessions:
1970 recession year — American Business Press (ABP) and Meldrum & Fewsmith study showed that “sales and profits can be maintained and increased in recession years and [in the years] immediately following by those who are willing to maintain an aggressive marketing posture, while others adopt the philosophy of cutting back on promotional efforts when sales appear to be harder to get.”
1974-1975 recession years
ABP/Meldurm & Fewsmith 1979 study covering 1974/1975 and its post-recession years found that “Companies which did not cut marketing expenditures experienced higher sales and net income during those two years and the two years following than those companies which cut in either or both recession years.”
1981-1982 recession years
McGraw-Hill Research’s Laboratory of Advertising Performance studied recessions in the United States. Following the 1981-1982 recessions, it analyzed the performance of some 600 industrial companies during that economic downturn.
It found that “business-to-business firms that maintained or increased their marketing expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession averaged significantly higher sales growth both during the recession and for the following three years than those which eliminated or decreased marketing.”
Cahners and Strategic Planning Institute (SPI) produced their report, “Media Advertising When Your Market Is In a Recession.”
It disclosed, “During a recessionary period, average businesses do experience a slightly lower rate of return relative to normal times. However, expansion times do not generate a higher level of profits than normal periods as might be expected.”
This phenomenon was explained by an analysis of changes in market share.
“During recessionary periods,” said the Cahners/SPI report, “these businesses tended to gain a greater share of market.
“The underlying reason is that competitors, especially smaller marginal ones, are less willing or able to defend against the aggressive firms.”
The study then pointed out that businesses that increased media advertising expenditures during the recessionary period “gained an average of 1.5 points of market share.”
1990-1991 recession years
“Management Review asked AMA member firms about spending during the 1990-1991 recession. “Fortune follows the brave,” it announced, noting that the data showed that most firms that raised their marketing budgets enjoyed gains in market share.
Among the magazine’s sample, 15 percent reported “greatly decreased” ad budgets. Advertising was “somewhat cut” by 29 percent.
“The keys to gaining market share in a recession,” concluded Management Review “seem to be spending money and adding to staff. Firms that increased their budgets and took on new people were twice as likely to pick up market share.”
Beyond the statistics, why might it be more important than ever to market despite economic downturn?
Strong consideration should be given to the idea that marketing plays a more critical role now than it did during previous recessions.
While marketing’s role was once more informational than brand identity building, and considering that never more than today has the clutter factor been so great, relationships between customers and brands are critical.
Relationship marketing has surged to the top of effective marketing campaigns as a means to keep an appropriate level of share of mind for purchase loyalty.
Marketing serves to foster and maintain consumer-brand relationships.
The effect on profits. From the Harvard Business Review, “Advertising as an anti recession tool,” comes the effect of cutting advertising on the bottom line.
“The rationale that a company can afford a cutback in advertising because everybody else is cutting back [is fallacious].
“Rather than wait for business to return to normal, top executives should cash in on the opportunity that the rival companies are creating for them.
“The company courageous enough to stay in the fight when everyone else is playing safe can bring about a dramatic change in market position.”
In addition, the article points out “Advertising should be regarded not as a drain on profits but as a contributor to profits, not as an unavoidable expense but as a means of achieving objectives.
Ad budgets should be related to the company’s goals instead of to last year’s sales or to next year’s promises.”
What are you waiting for? Get marketing!
Go-To-Market Strategies is a resource center for sales and marketing professionals and business leaders that offers relevant online resources, training, and coaching services.
Online: www.gtms-inc.com
Posted in Columns, Marketing, Viewpoint | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – ChannelAdvisor, which sells e-commerce services to online merchants, says it reached operating profitability in the fourth quarter of 2008 but is cutting staff by 19 percent as it restructures.
The company has raised a total of $84 million in venture backing, including $20 million in September.
In the fourth quarter of 2008, ChannelAdvisor recorded revenue of over $10 million and for the full year, ChannelAdvisor recorded revenue of over $35 million. This represents 44 percent growth in revenue from 2007.
The company says it plans to undertake changes geared to optimize its workforce, facilities and products in order to adjust to the current economy while positioning to leverage future growth in 2009.
As part of the changes, ChannelAdvisor is reducing its global workforce by 19 percent or about 60 of its 290. Those whose jobs will be eliminated will be offered severance.
“ChannnelAdvisor had a solid quarter and we will continue to focus on profitability and growth in 2009,” said Scot Wingo, CEO of ChannelAdvisor.
“The restructuring steps we’re taking are designed to better position the company for potentially deteriorating macro economic conditions. These steps will lower our overall operating costs and enable us to weather the current economic storm.”
Online: www.channeladvisor.com
Posted in Internet/New Media, IT, North Carolina, TechJobs | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
ATLANTA – Ventureforth Inc. today has won a multi-million dollar contract to provide a new mobile field service solution to one of the world’s largest wind turbine suppliers.
The mobile solution, part of Ventureforth’s Mobile i2K (Mi2K) suite of products, will allow field service technicians to download service requests and materials information to ruggedized PDAs while in network coverage, and update the status of work requests, add materials to work requests, and close work requests regardless of network coverage.
When the technician is back in network coverage, the Ventureforth mobile client syncs with the Oracle Field Service instance at the company datacenter.
Online: www.ventureforth.com
Posted in Energy, Georgia, IT, Money, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
WASHINGTON – The recent economic downturn is significantly impacting the financial wellbeing of America’s bioscience industry.
To address the current economic realities, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has released a “Best Practices” guide for the bioscience industry.
The policies and legislation cited in this updated guide are key examples of state efforts to grow and sustain bioscience industry development.
Almost every state in the country is actively engaged in building bioscience industry infrastructure.
State sponsored programs to encourage investment and help bioscience companies leverage existing resources can be instrumental in helping these innovative companies survive this economic cycle. The report, entitled,
“State Legislative Best Practices in Support of Bioscience Industry Development” chronicles several types of state programs that have been very helpful in forming and sustaining bioscience industry development.
“While the economic climate has been difficult for bioscience companies, it has also had a significant impact on state budgets, causing many states to cut programs and reassess economic priorities.
“However, the biosciences continue to be a high growth, high value industry for many states,” said Patrick Kelly, Vice President for State Government Relations and Alliance Development for BIO.
This guide provides examples of state efforts to invest in the fundamental components of early stage research and efforts to encourage capital investment.
Furthermore, it demonstrates the importance of developing trained workforces that will create, grow, and retain bioscience companies.
The guide also explores the rationale behind current legislative efforts as well as serves as a practical reference guide to the specific legislation put in place in the states.
BIO’s State Legislative Best Practices in Support of Bioscience Industry Development guide can be accessed here: www.bio.org/local/industryDev.
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations.
Posted in Economic Development, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
ATLANTA – Adtech Global Networks has acquired the IP assets of Steelbox Networks Inc. under an Article 9 UCC Forclosure sale.
Financial details were not disclosed.
Key Steelbox personnel, including founders and inventors of the technology, Jim Jordan and Bill LeBlanc, joined the company.
Adtech says the acquisition industry-leading technology poised to address the needs of one of the fastest growing vertical markets.
Steelbox’s core technology and products address the problem of moving and storing vast amounts of video across IP networks, with a primary focus on the physical security and surveillance market.
“Steelbox will contribute to AGS’ growth strategy for 2009 and beyond, while adding industry-leading Intellectual Property to our portfolio,” Tim Shadburn, CEO, said.
Adtech Global Solutions is a worldwide service and engineering organization focused on the design, assembly, deployment and support of technology platforms to run its partner’s applications.
Online: www.adtechglobal.com
Posted in Acquisitions, Georgia, IT | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
DULUTH, GA – Metametrix Clinical Laboratory, which sells nutritional and metabolic testing services, says it has acquired Accu-Chem Laboratories.
Financial details were not disclosed.
Accu-Chem Laboratories has over 24 years of experience in providing clinical, and occupational toxicological testing, including analyses of body fluids and tissues for recognized toxic chemical.
Metametrix CEO Dr. J. Alexander Bralley said, “Incorporating Accu-Chem testing into our current test offerings will allow us to offer a broader range of toxicological testing services to our clients, which will in turn help them offer more detailed treatment plans to their patients.”
Online: www.metametrix.com
Posted in Acquisitions, Georgia | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
TALLAHASSE, FL – To expand on the success of venture capital investments in Florida, the State has created the Florida Opportunity Fund, a multimillion-dollar program that directs investments to high-performing venture funds committed to seed and early stage businesses.
The program is designed to build upon the successful Florida investment activities of leading national venture capital investors such as Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Benchmark Capital and Sycamore Ventures.
These firms provide capital to companies focused on developing cutting edge technologies like surgical robotics design, business intelligence software, defense and aerospace applications, and green methods to create new products out of recyclables.
The Florida Opportunity Fund seeks to further establish the State as a hub of innovation as it seeks a larger share of the billions invested nationally from fund managers, particularly at the seed and early stage.
Strategic sectors targeted
The program will seek to grow the availability of venture capital funds for companies in strategic sectors such as life sciences, clean energy, homeland security, aerospace and defense, information technology and advanced manufacturing.
In turn, it will seek to serve as a platform for creating new companies with high-wage jobs.
“The State is rich with early stage investment opportunities that can attract the interest of venture capital funds alongside other high-profile firms that have invested in Florida,” said Christopher Fountas, general partner with MILCOM Venture Partners (MVP).
The Florida Opportunity Fund is a fund of funds established by Enterprise Florida pursuant to Florida’s Capital Formation Act and is managed by Florida First Partners (FFP) – a joint venture between MVP, a leading Florida venture capital fund manager, and the Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group (CFIG), the global investment bank’s primary private equity fund-of-funds investment team.
Enterprise Florida is an economic development partnership between business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the State.
Fourth largest tech employer
In the United States, Florida is the fourth largest employer in the high-tech industry – with more tech jobs than every other state but California, Texas and New York, according to the report Cyberstates 2008 by AeA, the American Electronics Association.
The State has one of the largest homeland security and defense industries, with nearly $11 billion Department of Defense Prime Contract Awards in 2006, according to Enterprise Florida.
And Florida, which ranks among the top 10 biotech states in a recent report by Ernst & Young, is poised to see tremendous job growth with the addition of Scripps Florida in Palm Beach County, the Burnham Institute for Medical Research in Orlando and The Torrey Pines Institute in St. Lucie County.
Nearly 700 venture capital deals have closed in the State since 2000, resulting in more than $6.4 billion in total venture capital spending, according to Enterprise Florida.
Seeks long term returns
“This program seeks to realize significant long-term returns from funds making investments in early stage Florida opportunities,” said CFIG investment professional Mel Carter.
“But ultimately, it’s more than just a catalyst for investors. The program’s activities are expected to attract additional venture capital for entrepreneurs and companies active in Florida’s high growth sectors, which will energize the State’s economy.
“By providing incentives, like the Florida Opportunity Fund, we hope to increase the amount of innovation that occurs within the State.
This will ensure that Florida’s workforce and economy are diverse, vibrant and competitive for years to come,” Lt. Governor Jeff Kottcamp said about the program funded by the Legislature.
FLORIDA OPPORTUNITY FUND APPLICATIONS
In evaluating firms that apply for the first series of investments from the Florida Opportunity Fund, FFP will consider a variety of factors, including funds with a track record of strong returns, an interest in seed projects or early stage companies, and a willingness to work with startups developed through Florida university and research institutions.
Eligible firms must have offices in the State or a history of investing in Florida companies.
The first series of applications from state, regional and national venture capital firms to be considered for funds from the program will be accepted through January 30, 2009.
Interested participants from the venture capital community should visit the program’s Web site at www.floridaopportunityfund.com
Posted in Florida, Government/Defense, Internet/New Media, IT, Money | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
CARY, NC – StrikeIron, which sells software to help companies to access manage data on the Internet, is closing on a $5.5 million round, according to the Triangle Business Journal.
CEO Richard Holcomb told the TBJ it will expand its sales and marketing with the money and expects to add seven new people to its staff of 22.
The company raised a total of $9.6 million in venture backing since its founding in 2003. Investors include Durham-based Aurora Funds and NC Idea, and Ascent Venture Partners of Boston, all participating in the current round.
StrikeIron lets companies maintain data on the Internet rather than creating and maintaining in house databases.
Online: www.strikeiron.com
Posted in Internet/New Media, IT, Money, North Carolina | Comments Off
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
By Allan Maurer
ATLANTA—The wealth of geospatial data available today from Google Earth and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is amazing, but putting it to work can be daunting for those without specialized training. TerraGo, which saw fourth quarter sales up 28 percent, helps companies get geospatial maps and images to non-technical users, including those in the field.
TerraGo Technologies delivers software applications that extend the access and application of maps and images for non-GIS users and customers.
More than 700 organizations, including many defense and intelligence agencies, utility companies, public safety/emergency response departments, natural resource management and engineering firms, depend on TerraGo software.
Leverages PDF
Its primary technology leverages Adobe’s PDF to help users view and collaborate with geospatial information.
“In a nutshell,” says TerraGo VP of Marketing Chris Watson, “We help companies take the investments they made in maps and images, big GIS systems or a relationship with Google Earth and disseminate the information more effectively to non technical people.
“A large number of people don’t even know what GIS stands for, but need the information. Our software allows them to take maps into the field and make annotations, edit them electronically, attaché audio or video, and send them back to the system of record.”
It replaces current paper-bound methods that are time-consuming and leave a lot of room for human error, he notes.
Saved $165K
“We did a return on investment study with one customer and just in one piece of their business, inventory verification, they were able to save $165,000,” Watson says. “Our software provides great value in cost reduction and more productive field resources.”
Founded in 2005, the company, which has just under 50 employees, has raised a total of $8 million and is in the process of raising a B round. It is one of the companies selected to present at TechJournal South’s third annual Southeast Venture Conference March 11-12th, 2009 at the Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia (see: www.seventure.org for more information).
The company says customers include emergency first responders and the intelligence community as well as corporate clients such as utilities and engineering firm. I-Q-Tel, the intelligence community-backed firm that invests in startups of interest, is a strategic partner.
Fourth quarter Wins
In the fourth quarter Converse Consultants, a multi-disciplinary consulting engineering company, purchased TerraGo Mobile for more efficient field data collection and asset verification.
Seattle City Light, a publicly-owned electric utility company serving more than 300,000 homes and businesses in Seattle proper, purchased TerraGo Composer for its field-based map book applications.
TerraGo signed an agreement with Trimble, the leading provider of advanced positioning solutions.
As a part of this partner program, TerraGo will work closely with Trimble to develop technology and business opportunities across common customers in the government, mapping, utilities and transportation markets.
The company also celebrated the success of the Army GeoPDF project with U.S. Army Topographic Engineering Center’s geographer Ray Caputo, who received the 2008 Geospatial Intelligence Achievement Award.
Military, intelligence clients
The company also works with resource and land management professionals. “The U.S. Geological Survey is one of our largest customers,” says Watson. “We converted their maps and they went from 4,000 downloads to 60,000 downloads.”
The company sees a “huge interest” from the military and intelligence communities in its mobile application for handheld devices. The mobile application also was put to use during President Obama’s inauguration and will be at work during the Superbowl.
Watson says that while the company is seeing state and local governments curtailing spending, the down economy has not otherwise seeing a slowdown.
The company is also working on non-enterprise uses, such as consumers who want to do things such as take a picture of where they caught that big fish and show where it was caught.
Watson adds, “Our strategy lines up great with a lot of industry demands that are emerging.”
Online: www.terragotech.com
Posted in Company Profile, Events, Georgia, Government/Defense, Internet/New Media, IT, Security | Comments Off
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – The economic downturn has had expected effects on the venture capital industry, shutting down IPOs and slowing growth, but entrepreneurs out there “have a fire in their belly. The tourists are gone.” So said Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association Wednesday night at an NC Council for Entrepreneurial Development function.
Heesen, calling venture-backed startups “the gazelles” of companies, pointed out that they make up 17.6 percent to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Heesen said that while the number of venture funds and amount of capital under management declined in 2008, the contraction started before the downturn and will continue. “Some in the industry think that’s a good thing,” he said.
While lower than in 2007, the amount raised by venture funds in 2008 was still strong, he added. He said many funds raised new money in 2006 and 2007 and won’t re-up for two to four years.
Life sciences attracted significant venture backing in 2008, about 28 percent of the total nationally.
Medical device companies continue to attract dollars and pulled 13 percent of venture money in 2008. There is a trend toward putting money into later stage biotech companies with less going to early stage companies, he noted.
In North Carolina, almost half, 49 percent, went into biotechnology, which he said is good since biotech is going well, but warned, that is is “scary to put all your eggs in one basket.”
Nevertheless, 82 percent of the venture dollars in North Carolina came from out of state, which “is good news for the long term growth perspective,” he said. “If VCs are willing to fly into your area, things are going well.”
Healthcare reform expected under President Obama’s administration could be a good thing for the industry, he said, even though former President Clinton’s efforts at healthcare reform actually slashed private investment.
The new reforms are viewed more favorably and are bringing companies and investors to the table, “But the devil is in the details,” he said, so it’s still not certain how Obama’s reforms will eventually be viewed by the industry.
Clean technology drew from 16 percent to 17 percent of the venture dollars invested in 2008 and is another hot area.
The ugly side of the current venture scene is the IPO window, which is closed tight. In 2008, 70 to 80 IPOs from venture backed companies were initially expected–but only six made it out.
While there are not many companies in the IPO pipeline now, the IPO market could open in the second half of the year, he said. “The stimulus package could help. But the important thing is to get the markets stable.”
Clean Tech could be the shining light that gets through the IPO window, he added.
While the number of mergers and acquisitions in 2008 fell slightly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, he said. “It’s quality over quantity there.”
A huge quantity could mean companies are selling out of desperation.
Combined with the closed IPO window, a lack of M&A activity is bad for the industry, however, he notes.
Heesen said that he believes the Obama administration will be good for the technology industry, venture capital, and entrepreneurs and cited his hiring a former VC to head the Small Business Administration.
Posted in Economic Development, Events, IPOs, IT, North Carolina, Viewpoint, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, NC – Michael Reiter, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been recognized by an international computer organization for his innovations in computer security.
Reiter, the Lawrence M. Slifkin Distinguished Professor of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been named a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery, the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society.
Reiter’s work focuses on the development of critical computer security protocols and defenses, ranging from Web privacy technologies to techniques for enhancing the robustness of network services against attacks.
Reiter is among 44 new fellows chosen from industries, universities and research labs around the world for their contributions to computing technology innovations in industry, commerce, entertainment and education. The fellows will be honored in San Diego, Calif., on June 27.
Association for Computing Machinery Web site: http://www.acm.org
Posted in Events, IT, North Carolina, People, Security, University Tech | Comments Off
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
ATLANTA – – VT Services, which sells defense logistics, communications and support services has appointed Zach Parker to serve as president of VT Griffin.
Prior to VT Griffin, Zach worked for Northrop Grumman for 19 years where he held several leadership roles.
While working for Northrop as executive director in the Mission Systems and Information Technology sector, he developed a track record to lead, grow profits and diversity operations in management, systems engineering and integration, IT, logistics services and O&M services.
During his tenure, he was instrumental in orchestrating operational transitions resulting from five mergers and acquisitions.
VT Griffin has over two decades of experience as a service provider of base operations, logistics, engineering, construction, mobilization and contingency support services.
The company has more than 2,000 employees in 25 states.
Online: www.vtservices.com
Posted in Georgia, IT, People | Comments Off
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
ATLANTA–Researchers have identified a biochemical switch required for nerve cells to respond to DNA damage.
The finding, published online in Nature Cell Biology, illuminates a connection between proteins involved in neurodegenerative disease and in cells’ response to DNA damage.
Most children with the inherited disease ataxia telangiectasia are wheelchair-bound by age 10 because of neurological problems. Patients also have weakened immune systems and more frequent leukemias, and are more sensitive to radiation.
The underlying problem comes from mutations in the ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) gene, which encodes an enzyme that controls cells’ response to and repair of DNA damage.
ATM can be turned on experimentally by treating cells with chemicals that damage DNA. Researchers believed that after other proteins in the cell detected broken DNA needing repair, the ATM protein could activate itself directly. Emory researchers have shown that an additional step is necessary first.
“In neurons that are not dividing anymore, we now know that another regulator is involved: Cdk5,” says Zixu Mao, MD, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and neurology at Emory University School of Medicine.
Working with postdoctoral fellows Bo Tian, PhD and Qian Yang, PhD, Mao found that the Cdk5 protein must activate ATM before ATM can do its job in neurons.
The results support the idea that Cdk5 may be a potential drug target. Cdk5 contributes to normal brain development, and aberrant Cdk5 activity is known to be involved in the death of neurons in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“Cdk5 has a complex character,” Mao says. “It can be bad for neurons if its activity is either too high or too low.”
Mao says he and his colleagues were intrigued by reports that in these diseases, neurons that had stopped dividing appear to restart that process, copying their DNA before dying.
“That’s what really kicked us into high gear,” he says.
The same process, called “mitotic catastrophe,” occurs when neurons suffer DNA damage. Inhibiting either Cdk5 or ATM can reduce the number of neurons that suffer mitotic catastrophe after DNA damage, the authors found.
The National Institutes of Health and the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Fund supported the research.
Posted in Georgia, University Tech | Comments Off
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
SEATTLE – Microsoft Corp. says it will lay off up to 5,000 of its 94,000 employees over the next 18 months, the first across the board cuts in the company’s history.
The company said the layoffs would include staff in research, sales, finance, and technology roles and begin with 1,400 people Thursday.
The company’s second quarter earnings of 47 cents a share failed to meet analysts forecasts, which were 2 cents a share higher.
Citing market uncertainty, the company declined to issue an earnings forecast for the rest of the year.
“We are planning for economic uncertainty to continue through the remainder of the fiscal year, almost certainly leading to lower revenue and earnings for the second half relative to the previous year,” said Chris Liddell, the company’s CFO.
Posted in IT, TechJobs | Comments Off
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
ATLANTA, Georgia — The Southeast Venture Conference (SEVC) today announced the first round of companies selected to present at its upcoming conference scheduled for March 11-12th at the Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia.
A total of 40 showcase companies from around the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions will present at SEVC 09. Showcase companies will range from pre-IPO firms for the NASDAQ sponsored late stage showcase to earlier stage high growth firms.
The first round of announced showcase companies includes:
Arxan – www.arxan.com; Bethesda, MD
Aurora Flight Sciences – www.aurora.aero; Manassas, VA
BroadSoft – www.broadsoft.com; Gaithersburg, MD
Cernium – www.cernium.com; Reston, VA
CivaTech Oncology – www.civatechoncology.com; Research Triangle Park, NC
CodeRyte – www.coderyte.com; Bethesda, MD
Energyware – www.energyware.com; Blacksburg, VA
FTRANS – www.ftrans.net; Atlanta, GA
GlobalLogic – www.globallogic.com; Vienna, VA
iJet – www.ijet.com; Annapolis, MD
KZO Innovations – www.kzoinnovations.com; Reston, VA
LucidMedia – www.lucidmedia.com; Reston, VA
NetWitness – www.netwitness.com; Herndon, VA
Pathfinder Therapeutics – www.2pti.com; Nashville, TN
ProstimRx – Hendersonville, TN
SchoolDude – www.schooldude.com; Cary, NC
SilkRoad – www.silkroad.com; Winston Salem, NC
SkyCross – www.skycross.com; Viera, FL
TerraGo Technologies – www.terragotech.com; Atlanta, GA
Uloop – www.uloop.com; Nashville, TN
“We feel these showcase companies represent the best of what is driving the region,” said Eric Gregg, executive director of the SEVC 09. “Even in these difficult economic times, innovation continues to advance. It is this innovation that is the basis of not only the region’s, but the nation’s future economy.”
In addition to showcase company presentations, the conference will feature a number of market-oriented panels, featured speakers and exclusive networking opportunities.
Current keynotes for SEVC 2009 include Tim Draper, founder and managing director of venture capital heavyweight Draper Fisher Jurvetson; Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes Magazine; Chip Perry, president and CEO of AutoTrader.com; and Chuck Swoboda, CEO of the billion dollar Southeast clean tech success story, Cree.
www.seventure.org.
Posted in Economic Development, Energy, Events, Florida, Georgia, Government/Defense, Internet/New Media, IPOs, IT, Kentucky, Maryland, Money, Nanotech, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
DURHAM, NC—Web development firm Preation is so confident that its new Eden content management system with built in search engine optimization tools will substantially boost search driven visitors to Web sites that it is offering a guarantee to double traffic over six months or provide a second six months free.
CEO Aaron Houghton, who is also a co-founder of the hugely successful email marketing firm, iContact, tells TechJournal South the new Web-based platform incorporates tools that help Web developers optimize not only pages, but also each object on a page to ensure the highest search engine ranking.
Because it’s Web-based, users do not need to install any software and there are no setup fees for the Eden service, which sells for $75 a month.
“You take your custom design and plug it into our system,” Houghton says.
He explains that Preation, an 11-year old company with seven employees that has worked with about 530 sites, created Eden from scratch to include the search engine optimization tools. It’s all drag and drop and creates every piece of content as an individual element. “From a tracking standpoint, you can see how different messages you have on a page perform. If you create a couple of different versions of elements, it will tell you which is better.”
“We wanted to create a system that would make it easy for clients without Web marketing experience to optimize their sites,” Houghton says.
The system alerts users if targeted keywords do not show up in the page heading and suggest, “Add this word to your page heading.” Once the user types in the new word, he can immediately see its affect on the sites Search engine score. Then it will guide the user to the next thing that needs to be done.
The Eden system has been implemented on 11 sites so far, says Houghton. “On most, we see a 30 percent to 40 percent search engine optimization score initially, which is common among sites we’ve moved to it. Literally, within two hours after someone makes all the suggested changes, that optimization score goes up to 80 or 85, so it’s easily doubling optimization. That’s why we’re confident they’ll double traffic as well.”
Houghton says hiring a dedicated expert to boost search engine optimization may still be the most effective way to increase traffic, but that could cost $10,000 and take six months. Eden, he says, will provide at least 80 percent of the same results for much lower cost and in a much shorter time period.
“The Eden Platform can bring more qualified visitors to a website because it walks you through the process of making the simple website changes that are required to properly tell the search engines what your website is about,” Houghton says.
“Search engine optimization is not difficult regardless of what high paid web marketing consultants will tell you. The changes required to optimize your website are actually quite simple, especially if you have a website CMS. The tricky part is figuring out which changes you should make and where.
“The secret behind Eden Platform is an enterprise level rules engine that was built by the website marketing experts at Preation based on over ten years of experience optimizing websites for more search engine traffic.”
He suggests it will help companies acquire new leads, find more qualified prospects, and improve average site wide optimization to 75 or greater.
The company is guaranteeing it will double Web traffic to a site for those who sign up by March 1.
Online: www.preation.com/
Posted in Internet/New Media, IT, Marketing, North Carolina | 1 Comment »
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